Sales, median price up in Charleston area

The number of homes sold and their median price was up last month in the Charleston region compared with April 2013.

In April, 1,143 homes were sold at a median price of $215,000, according to preliminary data released by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors. Last April, 1,028 homes sold at a median price of $200,000. In March, 1,120 homes sold at a median price of $219,066, the association said.

Inventory also increased slightly in April to 5,994 homes listed as “active” in the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service, according to the association.

“The local market is continuing to see a sustainable increase in sales and price, which is a positive sign as the traditional buying season gets into full swing,” Charleston Trident Association of Realtors President Corwyn Melette said in a statement. “Mortgage rates have declined to a six-month low, which means buyers can still make the house they want a financially viable option in spite of the rising median price.”

In Berkeley County, 222 homes sold last month for a median price of $176,000. The northern part of the county — bordered by Jedburg Road, Highway 17A and College Park — was the most active area with 60 sales at a median price of $161,750, the association said.

Roughly 650 homes were sold in Charleston County at a median price of $268,500 in April. Mount Pleasant sold 208 homes at a median price of $368,224 and West Ashley, outside of Interstate 526, sold 80 at a median price of $215,052. In James Island, 79 homes were sold in at a median price of $230,000, according to the association.

In Dorchester County last month, 225 homes were sold at a median price of $173,000, the association said. The Summerville and Ridgeville portion of the county was the most active with 104 homes being sold for a median price of $195,000.